Out of State Education
State Authorization allows Lamar University to offer educational opportunities to students nationwide through compliance with state and federal regulations. The University must receive authorization from a state before allowing students from that state to participate in educational activities.
Lamar University has taken steps to protect its students and operations through nationwide compliance by participation in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA); obtaining authorization, approval, exemptions and waivers; or confirming that Lamar University can operate without such authorization because the state’s laws do not pertain to the university’s activities in that state.
NC-SARA
“The State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement is a voluntary agreement among its member states and U.S. territories that establishes comparable national standards for interstate offering of postsecondary distance-education courses and programs. It is intended to make it easier for students to take online courses offered by postsecondary institutions based in another state.” -NC-SARA
Texas was approved as a SARA state in 2015, and is administered by the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB). As of 2022, 49 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands are members of SARA. Over 2,300 colleges and universities participate in SARA.
Determine whether a Lamar University program leading to licensure will meet educational requirements in your state. →
Relocating Mid-Program
If you are approved to enroll in a program leading to licensure, you must notify your academic department prior to moving to a new state to ensure licensure is possible.
For more information, review Lamar University's Student Location Policy.
Complaint Resolution
All students including those residing outside of the State of Texas while attending Lamar University who desire to resolve a grievance should follow the University's Student Grievance Procedure. For LU Online students that would be Cathie Maeyaert.
Students are encouraged to review the SARA Policy Manual first should they have questions.
Cathie Maeyaert
Director-Private Postsecondary Institutions
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
PO Box 12788, Austin, TX 78711
(512) 427-6227
cathie.maeyaert@highered.texas.gov
If an issue cannot be resolved internally, a student may file a complaint with the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) portal entity.
Students may also file a complaint with the accrediting agency for the university. Access information regarding complaint process for SACS.
Further Questions?
Please contact the chair of the academic department associated with your program for additional admission requirements and general questions and information.